While cleaning out a cupboard I found the results of the 1997 Taunton marathon. It had a 4h 30 cut off, 153 male finishers and 15 women. I was last woman in 4h 18 (which is still my PB…) with a dozen men behind me.

Pondering future adventures…

I think this says a lot about the pressure STFC is under: its budget will not have risen (in cash terms) between 2023 and 2030 Inflation is obviously going keep eroding that, and more so with the Iran war (Details of STFC budget figures over the spending review have not been published before now)

I haven’t yet had time/energy to write a proper blog about the Lapland Arctic Ultra. So for now I’ve written some short snippets to try and capture the experience while it’s still fresh (thanks to the OH for the original version of the spoof newspaper report). anne-green.net/personal/blo...

Had been planning to spend today writing a blog about my Arctic adventures. Instead, I've written (in a personal capacity) to my MP, regarding factually incorrect statements that have been made regarding cuts to postdoctoral research positions, in particular in theoretical particle physics.

This is pure 1984: Lord Vallance promises that there will be no reduction in UK particle theory postdoc numbers from ~20 per year. The actual number awarded in the last round in 2022 was 58. committees.parliament.uk/publications...

In a letter to @chionwurah.bsky.social the Science Minister states: "~20 particle physics theory post-doctoral researchers [are] funded by UKRI each year." That’s not typical; that’s the post-cut baseline from 2026. The previous cycle supported ~60. Framing this as “normal” obscures a ~70% cut.

Reaching the finish line of the 500km Lapland Arctic Ultra, this time 2 weeks ago. Feels like a million years ago now, and I yearn for the simplicity of pulling my pulk through wilderness. (Photos courtesy of Callum Joliffe.)

A random story: Once upon a time, an Air Koryo flight I was on to Pyongyang had a minor crash landing. As some of the passengers (understandably) panicked, one of the cabin crew told us that 'nothing has happened'. Meanwhile, the pilot could be seen unfurling the emergency escape chute.

Enjoying some R&R back in Jockfall. It’s ~30 degrees C warmer than when I first arrived here 2 and a bit weeks ago!

The contrasts of my last 4 sleeping places: a storage cupboard at a checkpoint (escaping from the snorer in the communal sleeping area), Polar circle cabin, an old farmstead, and back in civilisation post finish.

And done. One of the toughest but best things I’ve ever done. There were various moments (over the last 10 days/8 months) when I thought it wasn’t going to be possible.

Breakfast! I have become a human eating machine.

Stunning views crossing a frozen lake last night. And the trail was firm and fast too, which made a nice change from slogging through wet snow (at one point the night before Pulkee and I were doing 1 mph).

Day 4 and the going is slow due to slushy snow. But (for now) I’m still going.

Today has been camping and fire lighting practice. Plus, in a classic example of Swedes not knowing how rude some English words are, (the theory of) ‘how to shit in the woods’.

Northern lights!

Arrived in Jockfall for the pre-race training course

Arrived in Lapland (and my pulk has made it too):

To my great relief my pulk is checked through to Lulea and I’m relaxing airside (Manchester T2 is much nicer than it used to be). Thought my power banks and huge stash of batteries would cause issues at security but it was actually the 500 calorie meal bars which got a close inspection.

Off to Sweden tomorrow, for the Lapland Arctic Ultra. My bags are packed and the pre-adventure blog is written (anne-green.net/personal/blo...).

Pro-tip: before emailing someone to point out 'a reference that they may find relevant', first check whether their paper did actually cite your paper.

I've reached the point of arguing with ChatGPT:

Full kit dress rehearsal:

A young person has just offered me their seat on the tram. I’m not sure how I feel about this.

Also in opinion, research policy expert Richard Jones writes that while the changes being made by UKRI are the biggest since the 1980s, change is inevitable given the country’s economic position—and the research community must rise to the challenge. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...

That which does not destroy you makes you stronger (but the line is fine…).

The way UK govt funds science is in the midst of a major transition, with creation of a much more direct link between government priorities & UKRI research funding. My attempt to set in context the biggest upheaval in UK science funding policy since the 1980s: softmachines.org?p=3252

Some thoughts on the select committee appearance by the boss of UKRI, Ian Chapman yesterday. It’s a long watch but can be seen here: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/... Thread 🧵

I was hoping that hiking would relieve Physics stress this weekend. Instead (thanks to a stonking blister, a flare-up of an injury I thought had healed, and a never-ending cold), I'm stuck indoors, arguing with strangers on the internet (about changes to the Spine race final time limit).

Not classes, but the final exams which determined my degree classification were Physics 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. There were also 2 options. I choose Astrophysics and Particle Physics. And instead of final year labs I did a Theoretical Physics exam on a Saturday morning after all the other exams.

OOOOH Researchfish Is going extinct 🐡🐟🐠 help.researchfish.com/en_US/resear...

Full story by @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social and me in today's Research Fortnight www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

CosmoSlider (a new CMB visualization tool by Andreas Nygaard, Steen Hannestad and Thomas Tram) looks really useful for teaching cosmology: aarhuscosmology.github.io/CosmoSliderW...

Arctic preparations: metal bottles wrapped in Duck tape (purple, so hopefully it’s obvious whose they are).

Quote post gif with a clue where you’re from.

Sad that I’m missing the UK Astroparticle Physics meeting in Manchester today, because of the worst cold I’ve had in years. Especially since I spent several hours wrestling with our new ‘digital core’ to buy my train ticket…

Good day for my two favourite 'small' sumo wrestlers: ferocity from Fujinokawa... bsky.app/profile/sumo...

Retired or soon to be retired UK HE or IRO researcher, or 'retired' but still holding PT position up to 0.5FTE? Awards of £k-£24 k available from @leverhulme.ac.uk to support your research. The deadline is 4pm 29 January 2026.

Arctic-style adventures are being had.

Hoping that Storm Goretti doesn’t mess up getting to Aviemore for this weekend’s Arctic training course. But if I get stranded somewhere I do at least have all the gear required to survive for a few days.

Visited the Nine Ladies stone circle and tower on Stanton moor, got snizzled on…

A beautiful afternoon/evening for a trek to Teversal with my tyre:

Spent today in my happy place (out on the hills talking to sheep).

Christmas Lego built (while watching Rogue One).

In between bouts of guinea pig syringe feeding, I managed a 4 hour walk with a rucksack full of conference proceedings as ballast.

Was supposed to be in Brighton this weekend with the OH (seeing David Devant & His Spirit Wife, and celebrating our 30th 'anniversary'). Instead, we're at home trying to get a very poorly guinea pig to eat properly.

And we're off! UUK's Research & Innovation conference with panels on REF2029 are now underway, as pause transitions into the forward march toward November 2028, and beyond. 1/n

Lunch woes episode 3: belatedly discovered that at 5.45 am this morning, I took the OH's lunch from the fridge rather than mine (I'm vegetarian, he's not).

Friday: lost my lunch in my office. Today: accidentally attempted to eat some Blu Tack.